HUSITA7: The 7th International Conference of Human Services Information Technology Applications : Digital Inclusion - Building a Digital Inclusive Society

In today’s information society, to make a real and lasting impact on human welfare takes applications of information technology aimed at enhancing access to all. HUSITA7-The 7th International Conference of Human Services Information Technology Applications: Digital Inclusion-Building a Digital Inclusive Society presents diverse viewpoints from around the globe, examining the latest applications of digital technology for social work education and practice. These conference presentations from respected international authorities discuss the application of ICT (information and communication technology) in various facets of human service to achieve the goal of a digital inclusive society where all have access to education and informational resources.

HUSITA7-The 7th International Conference of Human Services Information Technology Applications examines the development and use of information technology in professional training, including the strengths and limitations of e-learning in social work curriculums along with the rationale behind a learning object approach. Research includes findings from educators in Canada describing the development and implementation of e-learning in social work programs and the qualitative study of technological content in an MSW curriculum. Various types of Web-based learning approaches are explored with an eye toward providing more effective teaching strategies. Various technological advances and approaches toward individual empowerment are described to facilitate greater societal inclusiveness. The book is well referenced and includes several helpful tables and figures.

Topics in HUSITA7-The 7th International Conference of Human Services Information Technology Applications include:

• the learning object approach of e-learning for social work education
• challenges implementing e-learning in social work education
• a research study of the relationship between technology content in social work education and technology use in social work practice
• international partnerships in Web-based teaching
• effective integration of emotion into the content of Web-based learning
• the use of indigenous knowledge in content
• the use of Web CT for effective address of issues such as quality of teaching and communication
• bringing about social inclusion through effective digital government
• how technological advances impact assistive technology
• research on the Internet self-efficacy in older person’s learning of ICT
• a communication tool for the speech impaired
• improving social work service effectiveness through knowledge management (KM)
• the “SenSui” disability information resource in Japan

HUSITA7-The 7th International Conference of Human Services Information Technology Applications is enlightening reading for librarians, social educators, social work students, researchers interested in ICT, and human service professionals.

C. K. Law, B.Soc.Sc, MSW HK, MBA CUHK, DSW Calif., RSW, JP, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work and Social Administration at the University of Hong Kong. He is a member in the Management Committee of the Hong Kong Cybersenior Network Development Association Ltd, a member of the Standing Committee on Policy Research & Advocacy, and a member of the Specialized Committee on Social Development.

Yu Cheung Wong, B.Soc.Sc., M.Soc.Sc., PhD HK, RSW, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work and Social Administration at the University of Hong Kong. He serves as a consultant for Fu Hong Society to develop and evaluate e-training modules for persons with mental disabilities. He is also a committee member in the Central & Western District Young Service District Committee, and a member of the Caritas Community Centre Advisory Committee-Mok Cheung Sui Kun. Dr. Wong’s numerous research papers have appeared in various international publications.

John Yat Chu Fung is the Director in the Information Technology Resource Centre at the Hong Kong Council of Social Service. He serves as a member of the Community Research Sub-Committee in ICAC and a member in the Management Committee of the Hong Kong Cybersenior Network Development Association Ltd. He is also a co-opt member in the Community Service Committee of the Hong Kong Computer Society as well as a member in the IT Easy Link Project Steering Committee of the Office of Government Chief Information Officer, SAR Government. Dr. Fung has been involved in numerous ICT in Human Services research and IT projects.